PYCLs: 1) CONTINUE THE MOBILE IDEA. 2) WHAT ARE WE ASKING GOD FOR? 3) WHAT IS PRAYER? 4) MEMORIZE PROV. 3:5-6. 5) WAS SOLOMON REALLY GOING TO CUT THE BABY IN HALF?
Possible Younger Class Lesson ideas for the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson on
“Mind”
for February 20, 2022
by Kerry Jenkins, CS, of House Springs, MO
kerry.helen.jenkins@gmail.com • 314-406-0041
PYCL #1: ADD TO YOUR SYNONYM MOBILE OR TRAIN
What qualities does Mind express? Have the children list some. Go to Mary Baker Eddy’s definition of Mind in cit. S5/591:16 Can we learn anything new from this definition?
What does it mean to “outline” or to “be outlined”. If the students are very young have them draw a simple “outline” drawing, something like a house or a simple shape. What does that outline do for us? It certainly defines the shape of something. It also limits it to a size, skill set (of the artist) and so on. Now think about how this might apply to our own skills and abilities.
Do we want to be outlined by matter? Do we want to be defined by weight, height, strength, human intelligence etc.?
How does God/Mind “outline” man?
Look back at the beginning of the definition and see what it says about Mind.
Is there anything material in that definition, anything that limits us?
Now write down some of the qualities that come up so that you can add them to the synonym train/mobile (we’ve been working on this through all the synonym lessons) before class ends.
PYCL #2: WHAT ARE WE ASKING GOD TO GIVE US, WHAT IS OUR MOTIVE?
In citation B2/1Kings 3:3-12. we have the first part of the two-part story of Solomon in this week’s lesson. Tell or read it to the children. Why did God give Solomon what he asked for?
What would you ask God for if you were a young and inexperienced king? (Make is known that Solomon was at least a young teen, more likely 19 or 20, not a little child. This was an expression of humility.)
Do the students know what the word “motive” means? Share a definition of that word and have a conversation about what our motives are for prayer. Are they unselfish?
Are they praying for things, or qualities? Which prayers are likely to be answered? Why?
Now check out a couple of other citations that relate to this: S3/7:23 where Mary Baker Eddy tells us that “The divine ear is not an auditory nerve…” Read it all and explain. God doesn’t listen to each of us and choose whom to answer, to whom to give things…etc.
Divine Mind hears all, blesses all, is opening and pouring out good. When we are following that path of good, working from motives of purity, joy, love, kindness, we find that we get the answers we need because we are in tune with Mind.
Think of this pouring out of good like a faucet that is pouring out water and when we hold our cup to the side we don’t get any, but when we put it under the stream we get overflowing water! You could demonstrate this if you have very young children. If you don’t want to take a trip to the drinking fountain or bathroom, you can bring in a pitcher and a bowl and cup to demonstrate it!
PYCL #3: WHAT IS PRAYER?
Citation S3/1:10 is a favorite passage of mine that defines prayer as “desire”. But Mary Baker Eddy also mentions that we need to trust God with our desires “…that they may be moulded and exalted before they take shape in words and in deeds.”
What does that mean? Can the younger children imagine what it means to “mold” or “fashion” something out of Play-dough, for example?
What if we think of our prayers being “molded” into something more spiritual? What would that mean? Would they be more unselfish? Less materially oriented—instead of a new phone might we pray to have deeper friendships?
When we don’t get what we pray for, what should we do? Talk about asking the right questions. If God is not an “auditory ear”, then to what are we praying? How do we pray?
Looking at our subject this week do they think that Mind, all-knowing, all-seeing Mind, might already know what we need and be supplying it? (As it says in the beginning of cit. S3) Why might we be overlooking this abundance? How can we learn to see it?
PYCL #4: MEMORIZE: “Trust in God with all your heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” PROV. 3:5-6/Responsive Reading
I love this passage and have leaned on it many times. It’s a great one to discuss and memorize.
How do we trust God with our whole heart, what does that mean?
When we are afraid of performing badly in an art or sport, what does it “look like” to trust God with our whole heart, and not to lean on “our own” understanding? Can we trust God if we never have healing in our lives?
What does it mean to “acknowledge” God in all His ways?
Can we learn to practice this acknowledgement daily by recognizing how God is present in our day by noticing when Love is expressed, when intelligence, Mind, is in your presence, when Life as joy and energy, grace and strength is present?
These are all ways that we can acknowledge God’s presence! Can you find some examples right now while in Sunday School? How does doing this make it so that we find that He is directing “our path”? Maybe get out a flashlight and talk about how Mind leads just like a flashlight lighting up a path to follow in the dark. Let the younger children try shining it and share their thoughts on how flashlights work to help us see where to go in the dark.
PYCL #5: WAS SOLOMON REALLY GOING TO CUT THE BABY IN HALF?
Citation B6/1 Kings 3:16-20, 22, 24-28 gives us the rest of Solomon’s story for this lesson. This is a great story to share with the children, though you may have to explain a few details to them.
As a young child I thought it seemed horrible to threaten to cut a baby in half, but it’s an amusing question to pose to the children. The point here might be that Mind was clearly guiding him.
This story is held up as an example of Solomon’s wisdom. Mind had directed him that the true mother would never consent to such an atrocious act.
Can we rely on Mind today to give us wise ideas for solving sticky problems?
Can you share an example of how you used Mind’s guidance to help people come to an agreement, or to solve a difficult situation or challenge? This goes straight back to prayer and how we get answers when we are motived spiritually to bless.
Have a great week in Sunday School!
